Poll: Your satisfaction with your HST transmission

[farmall40]

What work were you doing, and what tractors were you using.......just out of curiosity?

I am a contractor, so I use the unit in many ways. I mostly use the loader moving heavy clay. The power this thing puts to the ground is amazing. The motor does not lug down like a hydro, just keeps pushin through the pile. I have a 40HP Case Farmall with a cab.

 

[irvingj]

I also have little to no experience with a geared tractor (some time on one as a kid), but I'd rate mine at 9.5.

Only issue I have is the "wheelies" that sometimes happen when slowing down in reverse- it takes a light touch on my 2310, especially when it's not completely warmed up. Otherwise, for mowing, blowing snow, moving dirt piles, and some brush clearing/trailer moving, it works very well.:thumbsup:

 

[Rhinorider]

I give mine a 9.5... Here in WV on steep ground you have a much softer touch with HST. The .5 to the negative is loss of power a few times I wish I had that little bit of extra Ummmph.

 

[Dead Horse]

I have an HST and a gear.

each is very useful yet has its slight drawbacks.

I rate my HST a 9.9 and I have 1,500 hours on it and 2,500 hours on the gear.

Were I to purchase a new tractor, I would go with an HST. It is just so much more user friendly and versatile.:thumbsup:

 

[RobertN]

I have about 900 hours on HST tractors. Had my old Kubota B8200HSTD for 12 years, and this NH TC40D for a little over a year.

- I would rate the HST in general with a 10 across multiple tractor brands
- If I just had to come up with a minus, it would be whine. I usually wear a hardhat with face shield and ear muffs though.
- I had over 700 hours on the Kubota with no HST issues; sold with total of 1250 hours.
- I drive a mix of manuals and auto's. Pickup has an auto, car has a stick, motorcycles are a version of a stick. Water Tender has a Detroit V8 with 10spd stick.

Of my other various notes...
- I thought I understood the useless steering brakes on the Kubota, but it was not till having my TC40D that I was enlightened. Kubota, you're great tractors, but move the brakes!
- I actually kinda like the Kubota treadle pedal better than the side by side pedals on my TC40D.

I have driven/used numerous CUT's and smaller Utilities, up to 40HP. I liked them all, but the standout in gear was the L35 TLB with GST. If I did not have HST, I would like a GST type tranny.

 

[RobertN]

I would not dispute that you could put that many hours on a tractor without changing the fluid. Especially, if the system is kept sealed.

But.......... I have never seen an owner/operator manual for a car/truck/fire-engine/tractor/lawn mower/ect/ect that did not have a recommendation for fluid and filter changes.

I'd bet somewhere in the manual for that tractor, they recommend a fluid/filter change at a LOT less than 20,000 hours

i mean exactly what i said.we have a 78 7700 ford that has never had the hydro oil changed in it as far as i know,i know it hasnt been changed in 20yrs for sure.now we add hydro oil to it as needed.because over the years weve blown hydro hoses on the fel.the tractor has over 20,000 hours on it an still going strong.only 1 major repair an that was a new motor 20yrs ago because the block cracked an ford knew the block would crack sooner or later.

 

[devildog1]

I've had three HST kubota tractors with FEL's and one Oliver Super 55 that was gear with out a FEL.The Oliver had a 2 speed reverse and was mostly used with a Lorenz 72" 3 point snow blower or 72" back blade. No issues with BB but sometimes with snow blower fast reverse was to fast and reverse low was to slow. Never had a issue with any of the Kubota's with FEL's or BB and snow blowers.
DevilDog

 

[Carl_NH]

I had JD gear tractors on the farm and then an L175DT with BH (gear) now a B21TLB for 11 years and would never go back to a gear for TLB work. For long fields plowing/discing or where one needs HP to the ground or implement gear would be better. I have a 20 YO Cub Cadet - Hydro - never a problem in over 700 hrs.

Drawbacks HST very few (warmup time and whine) and as others have commented hooking up implements I set the brake and then inch back and forth off the tractor to align, also when in BH mode I can reach the HST pedal facing backwards to reposition.. I rate it a 9.4

 

[crazyal]

My neighbor who owns the lot next to me comes up every so often with his MX5000. I try not to laugh when I hear him grinding gears when shifting from forward to reverse. I'm sold on HST.

 

[beppington]

Up thru Carl NH's post #128, I count 65 total ratings with an average rating of 9.28

 

[dawoodwa]

I rate my L5030 a "10", and for those gear enthusiasts, I wouldn't buy a large tractor again unless it had a CVT transmission. Being able to control the speed harvesting peanuts, baling hay, or cutting siliage with variable transmission makes me want to throw rocks at the quad range or powershifts that I grew up with.

 

[DavidVT]

At 600hrs my 3430HST has served me well. It's main job has been clearing snow.

I give it a 9. .5 off for the split brakes vs HST pedal issue .5 off for how this tractor deals with high range vs driving up a moderate grade... STALL (if I let it).

I have had some mild rear end vibration after hours of plowing snow with frequent FEL operations and have never resolved if it is the transmission or the differential. It usually occurs when I need a break so I have made it my time in the seat timer. It has never gotten any worse nor shown up after hours of mowing brush in the summer.

I had my HST pedal get hung on a chunk of ice. Sure makes you appreciate the seat safety switch when you are too over tired to simply remember to turn the key off or push in the clutch....

I would love more power but with the horses gone it is hard to justify even this sized tractor but for the white stuff...

 

[jdp]

The answer is clear, nobody who has HST would go back to the alternatives. Buying a compact without it is being penny wise and pound foolish, not to mention, probably will require less expense in the long run, with no clutch to wear out. Rate a 10

 

[Wayne's Train]

I'd rate it a 9.9. I've got a 2008 BX24 with about 550 hours. Most of that as a trackless train engine. I pull three coaches with up to ten people in each (about 1300 lbs each) up and down paved street hills as well as flat ground. Nice and smooth departures and stops. The mmm mower works great with the HST. When I get to tough grass or elevation changes, I can slow down and raise/lower the mower deck easily. My other engine is a Sears Garden Tractor GT5000. Will not stop this train going down hill. With the HST, you just let off the go pedal and it stops. I never use the brake except for parking.

 

[Lawnranger]

I agree on a 9/10 for the HST. As it has been said before nothing is perfect for every chore, but the HST comes closest to anything I have driven. I wish I planned for more HP when I bought mine, but I wouldn't trade it now. 450 hours and going strong.

 

[alanduq]

Have a Kubota 8700 I like the idea and give it a 5 because of the quality and implementation. Mine is currently fubar. No neutral. It is always going in reverse or forward. I need to shift to neutral to regain the control when stopped. Used to stop and hold position when not pushing pedal. Don't even get me started on the rest of this machines quality and design from this manufacturer.

 

[oldnslo]

For loader work I would give the HST a 9.5 - 10 but for mowing lawn I still prefer the gear drive with variable speed on my old JD 112. Reason being is I don't have to have my foot on the go pedal all the time. Plowing snow other than the amount the BX will push Vs the 112 they are both acceptable for me.

Roy

 

[Kiwi06]

I too have to give the HST a 9 - not perfect, but definitely the best setup for my usage. It's a definite plus for getting others (wife, kid, neighbors) to do my work for me. :thumbsup:

Winter work is primarily snow removal - both with loader and rear blade. Rest of the year is mostly a mix of loader work, mowing and "light" harrowing.

 

[weatherman]

We bought our L3130 6 1/2 years ago and use it mainly for snow blowing, though did some heavy loader work with it a couple years ago. After 118 hours, I'm still loving it, and I'll give the HST a 9.5 rating.

John

 

[KubB2700]

1998 Kubota B2710 HST, Kubota 402 Loader, 5 foot brushog, 5 foot finish mower. Owned since new & have about 750 hours on it. I would rate my HST a 9, as nothing is "perfect". Has done everything I have asked of it: loaded gravel, loaded firewood, brushogged fields,cut lawn, moved snow. This tractor is identical to the B2910 (except for 2 HP). These two preceeded the current 29HP "7800". When the mowers are "whirring" you can't hear the whine of the HST system over their noise. I always wear ear protectors anyway. Easy to operate and has power steering and AWD system.